This month’s feature gun is a Hy-Score Arms Co. model 800 air pistol. Hy-Score was in operation in New York City from 1947 to 1970. They imported a great number of air pistols and rifles from Europe during their years of operation. The pictured model 800 was however made right here in the U.S.

The 800 is a single shot that fires a .22 cal. Pellet. It is a spring-piston design that is cocked by releasing a button on the side of the frame and pivoting, or cocking, the muzzle of the gun downward. After cocking and the barrel is locked back into place, the pistol is ready for loading. To load you turn the large knob at the breech clockwise to open the chamber. With the muzzle pointed down, a single pellet is dropped in, and the knob is then turned back counter clockwise. The pistol is now ready to fire.

The barrel address on this Hy-Score pistol clearly states it is a “Target Model”. The term “target” is somewhat subjective at best. It was mostly used as a sort of a sales gimmick. According to collectors who actually shoot these guns they generally only get 2” to 2.5” groups at 10 meters.

U.S. made Hy-Score air guns have garnered favor with collectors over the years due to their somewhat scarcity and the quality of manufacture. This particular pistol is valued at about $100 to $125. Specimens with the original box have sold for upwards of $180.

Stamping the term “target” on these pistols was most likely only a sales gimmick of sorts.

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10 Responses to Hy-Score Target Model air pistol.

I have one of these guns. I picked it up from an auction a couple months back, and I noticed in your closeup image there is a serial number. On mine there is no serial number and there is a design of flowers instead . Can you tell me if this means I own the 700 model or what it means?

I have a somewhat similar Hy Score pistol but the model is 825T. I couldn’t find any information about it and the user’s manual is missing. I would like to know more about it. There is no know to turn at the breech for loading, as far as I know. The pistol is engraved “Made in Germany”, CAL. 4,5/.77

From the photo, it looks like the front 1/2 of your Hy-Score’s barrel pivots downward to expose the chamber for loading a single pellet. This would also cock the gun’s spring loaded piston that fires the pellet.

You are exactly right! Also, what appears to be a safety device is located right above the trigger. Not a convenient nor safe location, in my opinion, since it can be deactivated by accident. This pistol is powerful. The power and dangers of any air gun can’t never be underestimated.

Could you, please, offer some information about cleaning and/or maintainig this pistol? I also need to know if BBs, besides pellets, can be used.

Now that you mention “single pellet” I regret having purchased the pistol. I would have loved to have one that gets loaded with more than one BB (pellets are a different story) That was the case, if I remember correctly, of air rifles that I owned years ago; I could load a whole bunch of BBs at once. Activating the powerful spring on this pistol could require some effort if done several times.

John, if you are reading this, be aware that someone in a forum called Airgunbbs.co (based in the UK) made available to me the on-line user’s manual for the pistol in question. All I have to do is print it.